Most European science curricula aim to develop scientific literacy and informed attitudes to scientific and technological issues in all our future citizens. This study has compared the experiences of Year 1 university students in four different Departments with regard to their experiences of school science and its influence on their choice of course and current attitudes. A questionnaire was used to gather information with cohorts of Bioscience, Physics and Mechanical Engineering students and a 'non-scientist' group studying Human Resources Management . Similarities and differences have been identified within and among groups and from analyses by gender, on questions relating to quality of teaching experienced and factors such as examination results and extra-curricular experiences such as work experience. Relevant findings from recent international studies will be used to provide some background on science teaching and attitudes of students to place the study in a European perspective.